Author's note: Thanks again for the lovely reviews, and for the adds to Favorites and Alerts lists. They're all deeply appreciated. Also thanks to Katie Duggan's Niece for betaing. Any typos or goofs are totally my fault because I kept tweaking even after she okayed it. Can't help it. I'm bad about doing that.

Chapter 10

Moving Forward

Alex stood and walked around her desk, making sure that she could look Gene in the eye. "That's not the way we're supposed to handle it!" she said, no longer trying to keep the frustration out of her voice.

"I swear to God, I don't know what's happened to you, Drake!" Gene snapped. "There was a time you'd be the first one out the door on the case like this!"

"It's a matter for Fraud, not for us!"

"Fraud?! What good are they gonna do?! These arseholes are stealing from people! It's out and out theft!"

"It's protocol, Gene!"

"Sod protocol! My patch, my case!"

The detectives of Fenchurch East pretended not to listen to the fight going on in DCI Drake's office. But they were hanging on every word. Even with the door closed, the voices were loud and clear. Ray entered CID and stopped short upon hearing the yelling. "Mum and Dad at it again?" he asked, getting some chuckles in answer.

"It's about that con we got reported last week," Chris told him. "The old man and his son. I gave our report to the Guv. He wanted to jump on an investigation right away. Ma'am doesn't agree. Says it's Fraud's case."

Alex took a deep breath, trying to control her temper. However, that didn't work too well. "Has it occurred to you that Fraud might already be working on this case?" she hissed. "These men couldn't have gone undetected. When con men start this contest scheme, word gets around. Someone might have reported it directly to the Fraud Squad."

Silver-blue eyes narrowed. "I repeat," Gene growled. "My patch, my case! I'm going to track down these toerags and drag them in here by their bollocks!"

Ray shook his head and muttered to Chris and Shaz, "Why don't they just shag and get it out of their systems?"

The couple looked at each other and smiled. "What makes you think they're not?" Shaz returned.

Frowning, Ray glanced back and forth between the DCI office door and Chris and Shaz. Then he smiled.

Taking a step to close the space between herself and Gene, Alex set her jaw and met his eyes steadily. Gene knew that expression. She was digging in her heels and it would take God's own hand to budge her. "And I am saying," she shot back, "that you're not to do anything until I check with Fraud. If they are investigating on our patch, we'd better tread lightly. I seriously doubt they'd liked any carefully laid plans to be disrupted by a DI who couldn't keep his pride in his pocket!"

Silence fell between them. They spent another minute daring each other to blink. Finally Gene turned, threw open the door, and stormed out of the office.

Alex watched him go, tempted to tell him to come back. There was no telling what he might do in his state of mind. Although, come to think of it, she wasn't entirely sure what his state of mind was. How could they be so close off the job and worlds apart on it? Especially after their lovely weekend in the country?

But Gene was right. In the past, she would have jumped on the case. Now she was cautious. She didn't want to cross the wrong people; and at present, that was just about anyone at Central. Alex was still afraid that Wilkins and his friends would try to find a reason to split up the team.

As much as she was tempted to sit down for a moment, Alex knew she had to move. "Ray!" she called.

The sergeant came in. "Ma'am?"

"Gather everything you have on that con game going on. We're going to pay a call on the Fraud Squad."

**********

It was early for a trip to the pub, but Gene was more than ready. He sat in the corner, smoking and drinking a glass of bitter. Why was he arguing with Alex over this case? Was it only because of his pride? She had a point. Fraud Squad might already be working on it. If he charged in without checking, there was a chance of fucking up an investigation. And when it came down to it, Gene Hunt would rather swallow his pride than let some bastard get away with crime on his patch.

And there was still the worry that Central would decide that Fenchurch East CID was better off scattered to the winds.

Finishing off his pint and stubbing out his cigarette, Gene left the pub. Maybe he couldn't start asking his snouts for information, but he could speak to the known victims of the scam. He had no trouble remembering the name and address of the old man. Might as well head over there now.

Gene had walked no more than a block when he felt the now-familiar sense of being followed. He turned quickly, startling a couple of young women who had been only a few yards behind him. They stared at him, then quickly crossed the street. There was no one behind them. This was getting old. Since when was the Manc Lion paranoid?

Yet even as he turned back around to continue down the street, the feeling came over him again. He pushed it aside. If Wilkins was having him followed, the bastard would only find a man doing his job.

**********

Dennis Wilkins paced in his office, eyeing the DC standing before him. "You're absolutely certain there's something going on between them?" Wilkins asked.

"As certain as I can be," DC Ben Owen replied. "Usually he stays at Drake's flat. Sometimes she's at Hunt's."

"That doesn't necessarily mean there's a sexual relationship going on," Wilkins muttered.

Owen snorted. "Speak for yourself, sir. But if I'm staying overnight in a woman's flat, it's not to play tiddlywinks."

Wilkins halted in his tracks. "You'll watch your tone, Owen," he hissed.

"Yes, sir," the DC answered, a bit sullenly.

Whatever possessed Wilkins to choose Owen for this assignment, he'd never know. The constable had been his sergeant at one time before being demoted for being rough – and that was putting it mildly -- while arresting a young male prostitute. But Owen was skilled at blending in with a crowd and following a target undetected. And Wilkins was determined to learn the extent of the relationship between Hunt and Drake.

Personally, he had no doubt that the two were having an affair. But they were careful not to exhibit any intimacy on the job. The only mark against them was that Drake seemed to show favoritism toward Hunt, allowing him to conduct investigations unsupervised. Fenchurch East CID had an excellent record for closing cases.

"Keep watching," Wilkins told Owen. "Let me know if you have anything new."

"How much longer?"

"Another week."

Owen shook his head. "Superintendent, I think you're wasting your time and mine. So what if Hunt is shagging her? He used to be her boss. No woman ever got anywhere without getting on her back first. Who cares?"

"Just do your job!" Wilkins spat.

Shrugging, the DC left the office.

Wilkins went behind his desk and kicked the chair before sitting down. Hunt was a thorn in his side. By rights, men like Hunt should be working in a factory somewhere or pumping petrol and repairing cars. They thought a couple of years of national service made them qualified to lead, when anyone with breeding and intelligence knew otherwise. Men like Hunt bullied and blasted their way in while those born to rule were pushed aside in this day and age. Already the working class was undermining the genetic pool – thanks to women like Alex Drake who, for some unfathomable reason, thought men like Hunt attractive.

If only there was a way to get rid of both of them in one fell swoop.

**********

The commanders of the Fraud Squad were happy to get information about the new con in the Fenchurch East area. However, they were conducting several investigations and couldn't spare the manpower to chase down what was clearly a small-time operation. So they told Alex that she and her team were welcome to go after them. Alex and Ray left Central and headed back to their own station.

"We'll let the Guv know what we found out," Alex told Ray. "Then we'll come up with a way to trap them – if they haven't already moved on."

"I doubt they have," Ray said. "Not while they can still get some money out of old Mr. Pierson." It was quiet for a moment, then Ray cleared his throat. "Uh, Ma'am, there's something I want to talk with you about."

Alex was a little surprised by the sergeant's tone. He sounded quite serious. "Yes?"

"I, uh, it's just that, well…" Ray fumbled for words before finally blurting out, "I've been thinking about the future."

"The future?" Alex echoed.

"Yeah. You know I've been seeing Teresa, Shaz's cousin."

"Yes."

"Well, things are going nice."

Alex stole a glance at Ray, expecting to see him blushing, but he wasn't. He was smiling. "And?" she prodded.

"I've been thinking about a future with Teresa and Eddie," Ray continued. "And I don't want to be a sergeant forever anyway. So I'm putting in for a promotion to DI."

"Good!" Alex said. "You deserve it."

He looked at her in amazement. "You think so?"

"Absolutely. I've told you before, Ray, that I think you're a brilliant detective. I'll be happy to add my recommendation."

They arrived at Fenchurch East and Ray parked the car. As he turned off the car, he met Alex's eyes again. "There's one thing, though. With the Guv being DI now, if a promotion does come through, it might mean moving to another station. It'd be great if it was near where Teresa and Eddie live, but even if it's not…" His voice trailed off.

CID without Ray. Alex could hardly imagine it.

Ray went on. "I don't want you to think I'm doing this because of you. You're a good DCI. I'm doing it because – because I want something more. I want to offer something more to Teresa."

Alex nodded. "I understand. And I'll support you completely – although Fenchurch East won't be the same without you, Ray."

"Well, I'm not gone yet," he chuckled. "And I'm glad you said you'd support me, but I'm more worried about the Guv."

"Why?" Alex asked, puzzled. "I think he'd back you as well."

Ray fumbled for his cigarettes. Lighting up, he rolled down the car window, blowing the smoke outside. "I've known the Guv for near twenty years. Since I was a kid. He kept me out of some trouble back then. I'd got in with a bad bunch. We'd miss school. Get into fights. We got pulled in for vandalism one night. Then a couple of the gang stole a car. I was questioned what I knew about it, which was nothing. The Guv, he was a DC back then, he pulled me aside, told me I had a decision to make. Go with them or make something of my life. He said I could even be a good copper if I put my mind to it. He knew my father was posted overseas at the time. Lit into me for worrying my mother. Made me ashamed. But if it'd hadn't been for the Guv, I might've kept going to the bad. So I've always felt like I owed him. I've been with him since I made detective. I came to London because he did, and I couldn't imagine being a cop without the Guv. But now – now I feel like I can. I just don't know how he'll take it."

Alex shook her head. "I'm sure Gene will be happy for you and give you his full support." But she couldn't help wondering, How will Gene take it? Surely he can't begrudge Ray a chance at advancement and happiness with Teresa…

**********

Gene leaned back in his chair, boot-clad feet on his desk, awaiting the return of his DCI and DS. Shaz took one look at him and said, "Pardon me, but you've still got canary feathers on your whiskers." At which point his smile broadened.

"Shaz, my girl, there are times I really do enjoy my job," he said.

"Let me guess. You're a few steps ahead of everyone else on the new con artists in town."

In reply, Gene merely said, "I'm thinking a nice glass of scotch will set this day off just right. I'll have to see if Luigi has something decent behind the bar tonight. First, Drake and Raymundo have to get back."

As if on cue, Alex and Ray walked through the CID double doors. "'Bout time you two showed up," Gene declared, making them both turn in his direction. "What did the Fraud Squad say?"

"We're good to go," Alex answered. It was apparent that she was confused by Gene's good mood. "They've not heard of any new con going on in the area. And since they're overwhelmed right now—"

"When are you going to learn, Drake?" Gene crossed his arms and smirked at her. "The Gene Genie has resources that would confound the cops at Central."

"What do you know?"

"I talked with the elder Mr. Pierson. Got a more detailed description of him. When Pierson said the man who contacted him seemed like a sweet kid, it sounded familiar." Standing up, Gene opened a folder. "Our so-called new con artist is none other than Barnaby Higgins. Pierson identified him from a group of photos." He gave the folder to Alex.

"Piggy Higgy?!" Ray asked in amazement. "But Pierson didn't say the man was fat."

"That's because Barnaby's not so piggy anymore," Gene told him. "Those two years in prison got him in shape. Less fat, more muscle."

"Excuse me," Alex interrupted. "Piggy Higgy?"

Ray spoke first. "One of the first arrests we made here in London. He was, what? Twenty-four, then?"

Chris stepped forward. "Just twenty-five," he corrected. "One of the best change raising artists around. Been at it for years. Started when he was a kid. Saw somebody do it and tried it himself."

"That doesn't exactly sound like a case for CID," Alex said.

"He also stole credit card numbers," Gene told her. "Chubby, sweet-faced kid. That's how he was always described. Shop assistants just didn't suspect him. He went all over the city with that con. We were new to the neighborhood so he didn't know us. We put Chris behind a counter. Piggy came in, did his routine—"

"It really is confusing when somebody does that," Chris said. "You know. 'Can you change a twenty? No, wait, got too many small bills. Can you give me a ten?' If Ray hadn't been there, I might've missed it."

"You did miss it," Ray countered.

"—and we had him in custody," Gene said, finishing his account of the arrest. "First week we were here."

"It was a nice start in London," continued Ray.

"Piggy went in for two years. And, I'm sad to say, he seems to have found a mentor behind bars. Sounds like he's refined his technique and moved on to more complicated scams." Gene sat down and propped his feet up again. "I've got some calls out to see who was serving same time as Piggy. He's been coached. And maybe we can get to that person." He looked at Alex, relishing the look of astonishment on her face. "And, yes, we'll make certain to get any information to Fraud Squad. In the meantime, I've asked a couple of my most trusted snouts to keep an eye out for Higgy."

"Softly, softly," Alex said.

"Catchee Piggy," Gene finished. "Don't worry. My snouts will be careful. But Mr. Pierson told me he's been approached about another 'processing fee' before he can collect his million pounds. It'll be the day after tomorrow – and once again, we'll be waiting for Piggy. We'll have to put you or Shaz in the room for that one, B – Drake. He knows us now."

Alex smiled at him. Sometimes Gene really did love his job.

**********

Gene swirled the wine in his glass and looked across the table at Alex. He'd ordered the good stuff at Luigi's in anticipation of nabbing Piggy and his accomplice. However, he'd not anticipated Alex's news about Ray. At least not the part about willing to take a transfer.

"Well?" Alex asked. When Gene didn't answer, she prodded a bit. "What do you think?"

"'Bout time Ray settled down. I'd like to meet Teresa. It'd take quite a woman to lasso him."

"He seems very happy." She hesitated. "Ray told me that he's known you since he was a teenager. That you kept him from going to the bad."

Shrugging, Gene said, "He just needed some direction."

"That's not how he remembers it. He also credits you with his decision to become a police officer. He feels that he owes you." Again Gene shrugged. "You two have known each other for twenty years," Alex continued. "You've know Chris even longer. Shaz said you knew him when he was a very small boy."

Finally a smile came to Gene's face. "Yeah. He'd get into fights protecting other kids. Never for himself."

Alex returned the smile. "But there's one thing. Ray's worried about you."

"Me?!"

"Gene, he and Chris have been with you since they made detective. They followed you here from Manchester. Ray is worried about how you'll take his leaving."

Pouring more wine for each of them, Gene raised his glass. "A toast, Bolly."

Alex picked up her glass. "To…?"

"To the children leaving the nest."

He took a large drink and she followed suit. But Alex then asked, "You really are all right with it?"

"Ray's ready. He's been ready for Inspector for a while now. He just needed to see that he was. Mind you. I'll miss him. But maybe it is time for him to take his career in a new direction. And his wanting to get away from me will only be in his favor at Central."

"He's not trying to get away from you!" Alex insisted.

"If he's smart, that's the way he'll play it," Gene said flatly. "It'll move him up in the queue." He paused. "We all have to move forward. As for owing me something, like you said, Ray's been with me since he made DC. He doesn't owe me anything." He leaned toward her and lowered his voice. "You, on the other hand, owe me a lot."

In return, Alex looked at him with her best, most innocent face. "I do?"

"Yes. For doing such brilliant work on the case today."

"How will I repay you?"

"How fast can you get upstairs?"

**********

Everything went remarkably well on Wednesday. Higgins called Mr. Pierson at the last minute, changing their chosen meeting place to an office. "Smart move," Gene said. "Makes it look for official."

"We'll have to be careful going into the building," Alex instructed. "Higgins knows you all on sight."

The meeting was for 1:00. Alex and Gene went to the building at noon. Ray and Chris arrived about 12:30. Mr. Pierson arrived at 12:55, accompanied by Shaz, posing as his granddaughter. By 1:30, Piggy Higgins and his accomplice Howie Simmons were under arrest and they were on their way back to the station.

**********

The woman found her way to Fenchurch East police station and stood outside, taking a couple of deep breaths and trying to get up the courage to walk inside. If she wasn't so desperate, she knew she could never do it.

But she had no choice. No one seemed to be doing anything to help her. In spite of everything in the past, she was sure that Gene would do something.

Fenchurch East. That's where he was DCI. She climbed the steps, her heart pounding with anticipation and worry. Upon entering the building, she made her way to the front desk. A tall black man with a moustache stood there. He was a sergeant. That was good. The skippers

always knew what was going on in their stations.

Her anxiety must have been evident because the sergeant spoke before she had a chance to say anything. "May I help you?" he asked.

"Yes." She coughed a bit and swallowed hard, trying to control the slight tremor in her voice. "Could you direct me to DCI Gene Hunt?"

"Yes, but he's not DCI now."

That made sense. Of course he'd be a superintendent by this time.

The sergeant continued. "It's DI Hunt."

"DI?" she echoed, stunned by that news. How in the world could that have happened? Gene demoted?

"That's right." The sergeant seemed a little embarrassed at having related that information. "I believe he and DCI Drake are out right now, but—"

A commotion at the front doors drew their attention. She turned to see Gene and a tall brunette woman in a dark gray suit pushing a handcuffed man through the doors. They were followed by another group. She recognized two of them. Ray Carling and Chris Skelton. They also had a handcuffed man in tow. A shorter brunette woman brought up the rear.

"When will you learn?" Gene yelled at the cuffed man. "You don't try your little confidence games on my patch!"

The tall woman was also berating the man, though not so loudly as Gene. "You know, these retired folks have a hard enough time without you lot trying to steal their savings. I wouldn't mind trussing you up and serving you at the nearest senior center!"

The three were only a few steps inside when Gene stopped in his tracks, causing the others to stop as well. No one moved for a moment, watching as the DI and the woman stared at each other. Finally the woman spoke. "Hello, Gene."

Those eyes. She remembered how cold those blue eyes could be. They narrowed now as he looked at her. "Hello, Madeleine," he returned quietly. "What the bloody hell are you doing here?"

TBC…